2002-07-08_GENERAL DOCUMENTS - M2002004 (2)

Home Browse Search

will be evaluated for proper levels of fertility prior to commencement planting operations. Water harvesting features will be in place and adequate soil protection measures will be used to ensure stability of the seedbed during the anticipated seed mixture germination and establishment period. If soil crusting is present that has the potential to seriously impact seedling germination and establishment, it will be alleviated using appropriate methods. Sterile, benign extenders will be used when necessary to ensure even distribution of seed across the planting site. Soil fertility, water harvesting features and seedbed preparations will be sequenced and performed to optimize seedling establishment and development. SEEDING RATES In the 1880's, overgrazing and fire suppression in the western U.S. resulted in huge losses of grazing land to big sagebrush, pinyon pine and juniper. In the late 1940's, the BLM, USFS and many large landowners and lessors initiated the restoration of these scrub lands back to grazing land and big -game range. Mechanical methods including chaining and dozing large areas were used to prepare a rough seedbed for establishment of several cool - season grasses. To get these large seeded grasses to establish quickly and suppress the native seed bank, high broadcast seeding rates were used. Historically, seeding rates for establishing vegetation on reclaimed mine sites were based on a combination of this range restoration work and agricultural practices for grain or row crops used in the more humid mid - western and eastern United States. Agricultural seeding rates were based on pounds or bushels of seed per acre that were designed to maximize crop yields. Nominal consideration was given to seed size, germination, and purity; life cycle; active growth period; or seed distribution when they were adapted to reclamation plantings on western mines. These seeding rate practices Appendix G 12 07/01/02